DA chief wants ASF resolved within the year

By Stephanie Sevillano, Philippine News Agency

The DA earlier said it allocated PHP350 million budget for the ASF vaccine procurement and rollout, with the open bidding process targeted in August. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday said he wants to end the problem of African swine fever (ASF) this year to help the hog industry recover.

”We are hopeful na ma-solve na unti-unti iyong issue sa ASF at hopefully by the end of the year, halos wala na ito (to gradually solve the issue of ASF and hopefully, by the end of the year, it’s almost gone),” he said during the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum.

The DA earlier said it allocated PHP350 million budget for the ASF vaccine procurement and rollout, with the open bidding process targeted in August.

“There’s only one actually accredited vaccine. So malamang iyon doon mapunta (Maybe it will be granted to it),” Laurel said in a separate ambush interview, citing the recent approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ASF vaccines from Vietnam.

He said the target is for a government-controlled vaccine rollout in September in red and yellow zones in the country, or areas considered hotspots for ASF, to monitor its effect and efficacy before proceeding to massive use.

“For government use, for trial, mass trials. But after six months of the trials, kung okay lahat at walang nakikita problema (if there’s no problem seen), then I think it will be grounded (for) commercial use,” Laurel said.

The DA chief added that commercial mass vaccinations may be feasible in the country by 2025.

Besides the ASF vaccine rollout, Laurel earlier announced plans to operate the first cold examination facility in agriculture (CEFA) in Angat, Bulacan in January 2025.

A CEFA is a sanitary phytosanitary inspection facility for imported animals, fish, plants and other agricultural products to ensure food safety and prevent the entry of plants pests and animal diseases like ASF, avian flu and Q fever, among others.

Laurel said plans are also underway to open four additional CEFAs by September 2025 in Manila, Subic in Zambales, Davao Region and General Santos City.